Made her big-screen debut with a bit part in the 1985 Disney movie One Magic Christmas
Began living on her own when she was 15; dropped out of high school during her senior year to devote more time to political activism
Went to high school with actor Scott Speedman, who played her husband in the 2003 drama My Life Without Me
After directing several acclaimed short films and studying at Toronto's Canadian Film Centre, helmed her first full-length movie, the award-winning Away From Her, in 2006
The political activist has been involved in such causes as public health, human rights, global trade and efforts to combat poverty
Battles government attempts to cut funding for artists in Canada